Page 181 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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KURRI KURRI HIGH SCHOOL

1 Forgeroom
1 Woodwork Room
1 Metalwork Room
1 Technical Drawing Room
2 Storerooms

A general office administration area
1 Staff study room
1 Clinic

Hatrooms, etc.
When tenders were called, the successful contractor was F.H. Compton
of Maitland with his quote of £250,000.0.0. ($500,000.00).

On Friday afternoon, 1st October 1954, Mr..·.R.J. Heffron laid
the Foundation Stone of this new Kurri High School before a large crowd
of 2,000 people. Mr. Heffron, Minister for Education, was accompanied
by local ~ civic dignitaries, including Mr. George Bodth, Member of N.S.W.
Parliament for the Kurri Electorate. Afterwards, the gathering was enter-
tained at Kurri ' Y.W.C.A. rooms by the Ladies Committee of the "Back to
Kurri" celebrations currently being held.

Early in January 1956, the first Headmaster, Mr. J:P. Sharpe,

was appointed to Kurri High School which was not then completed. The
new High School was completed on 12th July 1956. Headmaster, J.P. Sharpe,
his Deputy Mr. O.F.Breakwell and some 23 teachers with almost 450 pupils
occupied Kurri High School on 19th July 1956. The school commenced with
classes only to third year level. Kurri High School did not have fourth
year or fifth year classes unt±l. _the start of the 1957 school year.

The Official Opening was conducted on 4th August 1956, again
by the Honourable R.J. Heffron. A strong contingent of over 2,500 towns-
people and v~~itors witnessed the proceeding.

Kurri High School was officially raised to the status of a full
High School as from January 1959.